Coronation Street fans ‘knew’ Maggie move ‘was coming’ as actress ‘almost breaks character’

Coronation Street fans have said they ‘knew’ a moment ‘was coming’ from newcomer Maggie Driscoll as they think they spotted an actress almost breaking character.

Those who follow the ITV soap were introduced to Eva Price’s ‘mother-in-law from hell’ as she returned to Weatherfield last week alongside her new family.

After seven years away, having left for France with her then-baby daughter Susie in 2018, Eva was quickly presented with the Rovers Return by her partner, Ben Driscoll, who surprised her by revealing she was the new landlady.

Having left Hull for the new opportunity to run the beloved boozer, Eva and Ben were joined by Susie, as well as his son, Ollie, who fans had already been introduced to as Dee-Dee Bailey’s new love interest, while his second son, Will, has been nowhere to be seen.

They wasted no time in settling into the pub and welcoming all the regulars with a huge opening party. But it was the arrival of Ben’s mum, Maggie, that ruffled feathers, as she delivered some shocking news for Eva – that she is, in fact, the landlady after Ben had to ask her for financial help.

The ‘silent partner’ has been having her say behind the bar, much to Eva’s annoyance, and it’s quickly become clear that Maggie isn’t quite happy with Eva being her son’s partner of choice.

But it was during Monday’s (November 3) episode of Corrie that fans became distracted by Maggie, as actress Pauline McLynn seemingly gave a nod to a former character she is famed for playing.

For those unfamiliar, Pauline played harassed housekeeper Mrs Doyle, who was always ready with a cup of tea, in the much-loved Channel 4 sitcom, Father Ted, from 1995 to 1998.

And during the latest visit to Weatherfield, Corrie fans couldn’t help but notice that Pauline dropped a line similar to her former alter-ego as she came in between a heart-to-heart between Glenda Shuttleworth [Jodie Prenger] and Debbie Webster [Sue Devaney].

Flocking to social media, @chilloutweed said: “‘Ladies, can I get you a cup of tea?’ The #Corrie script writers couldn’t resist slipping that in.” @mishybabez_ commented: “Maggie releasing her inner Mrs Doyle asking Debbie for a cup of tea #corrie #FatherTed.”

@Wee_Westie29 posted: “Maggie channelling her own Mrs Doyle offering tea and sandwiches, she even said ‘Go on!’ IYKYK. #CoronationStreet #Corrie.” @Dandlio19372821 wrote: “#corrie she said it ! She said it !cup of tea!”

@BobBarnes2005 shared: “Absolutely brilliant tonight with Maggie on #Corrie. Can I get you ladies a cup of tea? That’s definitely a hint.” @tractorgirly added: “#Corrie Mrs Doyle the new landlady asking if Debbie and Glenda wanted a cup of tea cracked me up.”

It was also mentioned on Reddit, with markpie0 writing: “She said it, she said the thing!” Northernplace89 replied: “Sue Devaney looked like she was really trying not to laugh.” niallbrooks added: “You knew this was coming but it was worth it.”

It comes after Pauline told press ahead of her recent debut: “During my first week on Coronation Street, nobody mentioned Father Ted at all. ‘Fair enough, why should they? Maybe they just hadn’t seen it”.

“Then one day in rehearsal, I came into the back room of the Rovers and two characters were sat at the table. I said, ‘Can I get you a snack? A cup of tea? Ah, go on…’ and kind of lapsed into Mrs Doyle. It was just for fun while we ran the lines, and I heard the crew whisper, ‘She’s doing it!’ I thought I’d get it out of the way…”